Allergy is a science based medical speciality which relies on the use of ‘evidence-based’ allergy tests and treatments. This means that there needs to be published evidence that a test or treatment is reliable, based on studies of other patients with similar conditions.

Accurate diagnosis of allergic disorders requires an examination of the patient’s clinical history by a qualified medical practitioner, to determine whether allergy or another immune condition is likely to be the cause of symptoms, combined with reliable evidence-based allergy tests to confirm the diagnosis. Evidence-based treatments can then be prescribed and management strategies advised, based on the diagnosis.

ASCIA strongly recommends against the online allergy testing and non evidence-based, unproven allergy ‘tests’ and “treatments”, which can result in adverse outcomes, including:

• Major dietary restrictions that can impair growth and cause malnutrition, particularly in young children.

• Impact on employment and social functioning, due to unnecessary avoidance of foods. environmental allergens and chemicals.

• Delayed access to more effective diagnostic tests and treatments, with lost productivity from inadequately controlled allergic disease.

ASCIA has developed the following information about Evidence-Based Versus Non Evidence-Based Allergy Tests and Treatments, to assist patients, consumers, carers and health professionals to choose evidence-based, proven allergy tests and treatments:

• ASCIA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Evidence-Based Versus Non Evidence-Based Tests and Treatments for Allergic Disorders (for patients, consumers and carers) 
  www.allergy.org.au/patients/allergy-testing/evidence-based-versus-non-evidence-based-tests-and-treatments

• ASCIA Position Paper - Evidence-Based Versus Non Evidence-Based Tests and Treatments for Allergic Disorders (for health professionals) 
  www.allergy.org.au/hp/papers/position-paper-evidence-based-versus-non-evidence-based-allergy-tests-and-treatments

• ASCIA Reference List - Evidence-Based Versus Non Evidence-Based Tests and Treatments for Allergic Disorders 
  www.allergy.org.au/hp/papers/refs-evidence-based-versus-non-evidence-based-allergy-tests-and-treatments

These documents replace the old ASCIA documents about “unorthodox” allergy tests and treatments. The word “unorthodox” has been retained in the documents to describe “unorthodox/alternative practitioners”, but tests and treatments are now referred to as “non-evidence-based” instead of “unorthodox”.

Further information about allergy testing is available on the ASCIA website:

• Patients, Carers and Consumers - www.allergy.org.au/patients/allergy-testing

• Health Professionals - www.allergy.org.au/hp/papers#p11